(CLOSED) Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE and VILLAS Information Thread

[nathanyell]

Glad it helps.

 

[flower72]

I'm 24 days away from my first stay at Wilderness Lodge. I'm surprising my 2 DDs with the trip. It will be their first time at WDW. It's getting hard to keep the secret!

Any tips for a first timer about the resort or WDW in general? I've been reading as much as possible and know which parks we are visiting on which days.

I've loved reading all the posts on here. You all have helped get me excited for our trip. THANKS!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm 24 days away from my first stay at Wilderness Lodge. I'm surprising my 2 DDs with the trip. It will be their first time at WDW. It's getting hard to keep the secret!

Any tips for a first timer about the resort or WDW in general? I've been reading as much as possible and know which parks we are visiting on which days.

I've loved reading all the posts on here. You all have helped get me excited for our trip. THANKS!!!

How exciting! Do you have your ADRs made? I recommend trying WCC. It'll be a lot of fun for the whole family. Your family might also enjoy walking or boating over to FW and riding the ponies or horses or if they're old enough, doing the Archery Experience - we loved it (even in the rain). The marshmallow roast is free in the evenings and there are plenty of activities for the girls during the day. Don't forget about the Cub's Den

I don't know how you can keep this a secret. How are you going to tell them?

 

[no capes darling]

I'm 24 days away from my first stay at Wilderness Lodge. I'm surprising my 2 DDs with the trip. It will be their first time at WDW. It's getting hard to keep the secret!

Any tips for a first timer about the resort or WDW in general? I've been reading as much as possible and know which parks we are visiting on which days.

I've loved reading all the posts on here. You all have helped get me excited for our trip. THANKS!!!

We're a week out and as far as I know my daughter is in the dark about staying there. I don't remember if I told her we were staying at Pop or POFQ though. I'm hoping that she pays no heed to the ME tags.

Agree with the PP about Whispering Canyon cafe- it's one of our must-do restaurants. Can't wait to go back, I hope Bob is on the night we're there.

 

[nathanyell]

Any tips for a first timer about the resort or WDW in general? I've been reading as much as possible and know which parks we are visiting on which days.

I've loved reading all the posts on here. You all have helped get me excited for our trip. THANKS!!!

My suggestion, make sure you stop to enjoy the trip. We have a habit of getting so wrapped up planning the perfect vacation that we don't stop to enjoy.

Roll with the punches and just enjoy the excitement of your DDs.

Oh, and believe in Pixie Dust!!

Brian

 

[flower72]

Thanks so much everyone!! Some of those tips about the resort are just what I was looking for! I love the idea of making s'mores at the resort. So fun!

I definitely believe in Pixie Dust! I become 6 years old all over again when I think of Disney.

WDWKOOK- I've had this planned since July!!!! It's been so hard to keep the secret. My hubby isn't going with us. This is a girls only trip. I know I've driven the man crazy talking about this trip!
I bought tge "I'm going to Disney World " t-shirts and am going to give them to tge girls with a short note about the surprise. They are only 6 and 7 so I want it to be simple to understand.

 

[MMrules]

My suggestion, make sure you stop to enjoy the trip. We have a habit of getting so wrapped up planning the perfect vacation that we don't stop to enjoy.

Roll with the punches and just enjoy the excitement of your DDs.

Oh, and believe in Pixie Dust!!

Brian

I totally agree with Brian!! I don't know how old your girls are, but when my boys were 2 and 4 one of their favorite things to do was stop and watch the ducks (at Epcot, MK and our hotel CBR). My husband wanted to rush them along and said we have those ducks at home, but for my boys to see ducks at Disney was just magical . I find that planning too many meals means you are running from place to place to eat instead of maybe getting a snack, sitting on a bench and taking in all the Disney magic!!! You won't be able to get to do everything you want to, but that is ok, because Disney will always be there and you can always go back. It changes every year. So dont stress out about getting it all done b/c that is impossible!!!

Have a fantastic trip and enjoy the magic!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

My suggestion, make sure you stop to enjoy the trip. We have a habit of getting so wrapped up planning the perfect vacation that we don't stop to enjoy.

Roll with the punches and just enjoy the excitement of your DDs.

Oh, and believe in Pixie Dust!!

Brian

Oh, this is such great advice! When we first started visiting there was only one park - MK. We would stay at CR one trip, then Poly the next...when EPCOT open in October, we had a long weekend planned at the Poly for the following March...can you believe we road the monorial around the EPCOT loop, got off and took it back to the MK? We never went to EPCOT that visit.

Today I feel so bad for families because there is so much to do in so much time...so much money invested and for many families it might a once in a lifetime trip, so they try to fit in everything and wind up missing much of the enchantment - better not to see it all, but enjoy the magic.

It is still a wonderfully enchanting and magical place...do try not to run/rush to every attraction - there is so much small detail in every park that will make one ooh and ahh....

 

[RedfromNL]

Oh, this is such great advice! When we first started visiting there was only one park - MK. We would stay at CR one trip, then Poly the next...when EPCOT open in October, we had a long weekend planned at the Poly for the following March...can you believe we road the monorial around the EPCOT loop, got off and took it back to the MK? We never went to EPCOT that visit.

Today I feel so bad for families because there is so much to do in so much time...so much money invested and for many families it might a once in a lifetime trip, so they try to fit in everything and wind up missing much of the enchantment - better not to see it all, but enjoy the magic.

It is still a wonderfully enchanting and magical place...do try not to run/rush to every attraction - there is so much small detail in every park that will make one ooh and ahh....

Absolutely! We always assume there will be things we wont get to do due to simply not having the time for it, or not feeling up to it at that time or whatever reason.

Just three weeks left now

ps I'm glad that by that time my throat infection will be over!! Nothing worse than being ill on holiday!

 

[sjs314]

Oh, this is such great advice! When we first started visiting there was only one park - MK. We would stay at CR one trip, then Poly the next...when EPCOT open in October, we had a long weekend planned at the Poly for the following March...can you believe we road the monorial around the EPCOT loop, got off and took it back to the MK? We never went to EPCOT that visit.

Today I feel so bad for families because there is so much to do in so much time...so much money invested and for many families it might a once in a lifetime trip, so they try to fit in everything and wind up missing much of the enchantment - better not to see it all, but enjoy the magic.

It is still a wonderfully enchanting and magical place...do try not to run/rush to every attraction - there is so much small detail in every park that will make one ooh and ahh....

We did not go when there was only MK but our first trip there was just MK and Epcot and going for 3Nights and 4 Days we still had time to visa NASA for a Day and spent time in the then Villiage Market Place. By the next year MGM had opened and our trip had increased to a week. By our last trip in '97 as a family AK and DTD which had become an attraction in itself. I miss the days when there was less to do it seemed so less rushed. I so agree with you about relax and savor the Magic that is Disney. Those are the memories you will cherish years later.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Absolutely! We always assume there will be things we wont get to do due to simply not having the time for it, or not feeling up to it at that time or whatever reason.

Just three weeks left now

ps I'm glad that by that time my throat infection will be over!! Nothing worse than being ill on holiday!

I so hope you feel perfect by the time you travel!!

We did not go when there was only MK but our first trip there was just MK and Epcot and going for 3Nights and 4 Days we still had time to visa NASA for a Day and spent time in the then Villiage Market Place. By the next year MGM had opened and our trip had increased to a week. By our last trip in '97 as a family AK and DTD which had become an attraction in itself. I miss the days when there was less to do it seemed so less rushed. I so agree with you about relax and savor the Magic that is Disney. Those are the memories you will cherish years later.

Sheila, I think we are very fortunate to be old timers when it was easier to enjoy WDW at a slower pace.

 

[no capes darling]

Quick question- did a seach of this thread and didn't see anything- are their ipod/phone clock docks in the rooms? If not I'll pack the white noise machine, but am really hoping to leave it at home this trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Quick question- did a seach of this thread and didn't see anything- are their ipod/phone clock docks in the rooms? If not I'll pack the white noise machine, but am really hoping to leave it at home this trip!

Yes, every room has an iHome on the nightstand in between the beds. You can leave your white noise machine at home

 

[no capes darling]

Yes, every room has an iHome on the nightstand in between the beds. You can leave your white noise machine at home

Yay, thank you!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Yay, thank you!

You're welcome and...

I hope all of you have a healthy and happy 2012 (and you get to stay at WL!)​

 

[mickeynut1]

I hope all of you have a healthy and happy 2012 (and you get to stay at WL!)​

Hi Kook .......wishing you and everyone else a great 2012!!!!

Does anyone know when the Christmas decorations come down at the WL? Thinking of possibly booking the WL for a New Years trip next year and I was wondering if the decorations would still be up if we arrived on the 30th. Not even sure it's going to happen as the holiday rates are .....but it's nice to think about my options . We've been twice right before Christmas and I would love to spend New Years at Disney and the WL would be ideal as we love the homey feel of the lodge, especially during the holidays . TIA .

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi Kook .......wishing you and everyone else a great 2012!!!!

Does anyone know when the Christmas decorations come down at the WL? Thinking of possibly booking the WL for a New Years trip next year and I was wondering if the decorations would still be up if we arrived on the 30th. Not even sure it's going to happen as the holiday rates are .....but it's nice to think about my options . We've been twice right before Christmas and I would love to spend New Years at Disney and the WL would be ideal as we love the homey feel of the lodge, especially during the holidays . TIA .

Hi, Nut1! Yes, the decorations will still be up. I believe they start taking them down the Monday after New Years Day. However, I'm not certain if they will start taking them down tomorrow or if they'll wait until the next Monday since NYD is on a Sunday this year.

I hope you get to go! Keep us posted

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi, Nut1! Yes, the decorations will still be up. I believe they start taking them down the Monday after New Years Day. However, I'm not certain if they will start taking them down tomorrow or if they'll wait until the next Monday since NYD is on a Sunday this year.

I hope you get to go! Keep us posted

Thanks . I thought maybe everything stayed decorated for at least a few days after, but I wasn't sure. It would be a quick trip only for a few nights, but it would be fun to experience New Years in Disney. The holiday prices are a little high for the lodge, but if I start planning now maybe I can make it work. I'll let you know if I bite the bullet and book it .

 

[Sue M]

50 days!!!!

Yay!! Won't be long now!

 

[Sue M]

15 days for us till our 3rd stay at WL. So excited. Last stay was 2009. However, we will miss Ranger Stan. He was so much a part of WL.